Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a motor vehicle includes an electronic controller receiving, e.g., from a vehicle-mounted sensor array, sensor data with dynamics information for a target vehicle and, using the received sensor data, predicting a lane assignment for the target vehicle on a road segment proximate the host vehicle. The electronic controller also receives map data with roadway information for the road segment; the controller fuses the sensor and map data to construct a polynomial overlay for a host lane of the road segment across which travels the host vehicle. A piecewise linearized road map of the host lane is constructed and combined with the predicted lane assignment and polynomial overlay to calculate a lane assignment for the target vehicle. The controller then transmits one or more command signals to a resident vehicle system to execute one or more control operations using the target vehicle's calculated lane assignment.

Abstract: Methods and systems automatically scale and set trailer brake gain without a need for vehicle driver input and without testing. Scaling a trailer brake gain of a trailer towed by a vehicle includes obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of the vehicle, including from a hitch load sensor. A processor computes a trailer resistance force of the trailer based on the sensor data. The processor automatically updates the trailer brake gain based on both the sensor data and the trailer resistance force.

Abstract: A process and system to detect and provide notification of a potential effect of a thermal event related to a vehicle and a process for updating thermal event probability of a specific area based on an effect of a vehicle are provided. Identifying potential vehicle thermal events and determining their potential effect in order to provide information related to the risk to both vehicle occupants and the proper authorities facilitates providing alerts and possible evacuation routes, and facilitates authorities providing the proper response. A vehicle is identified and information related to the identified vehicle, as well as information related to an area and an existing thermal event, are obtained and probability of a thermal event starting or potential spread of an existing thermal event is determined based on the obtained information and the potential is addressed before a thermal event starts or an existing thermal event spreads.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rechargeable energy storage system includes assembling a plurality of cell modules into an upper structure of an enclosure, wherein the plurality of cell modules are composed of a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of collectors, wherein the plurality of collectors are arranged to electrically connect the battery cells; inverting the enclosure including the plurality of cell modules assembled therein; filling the enclosure with a liquified potting compound; curing the liquified potting compound to form a solidified potting compound; and assembling a bottom structure onto the upper structure of the enclosure to form a plurality of longitudinal channels.

Abstract: A method, system, and host vehicle mitigate an encounter with a vulnerable road user (VRU) by performing pedestrian protection countermeasures when the VRU encounter is detected and an event with the VRU encounter is anticipated. The method includes determining, via a primary detection process using the controller, if the VRU encounter is probable, and determining, via a secondary detection process using the controller, if the VRU encounter has occurred. The method includes performing one or more pedestrian protection countermeasures based on a respective result of the primary and secondary detection processes. The primary detection process may utilize a passive sensing device and the secondary detection process may utilize an ADAS sensor, or vice versa.

Abstract: Methods and systems automatically scale and set trailer brake gain without a need for vehicle driver input and without testing. Scaling a trailer brake gain of a trailer towed by a vehicle includes obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of the vehicle. A processor computes a trailer weight of the trailer and a trailer resistance force of the trailer. The processor automatically updates the trailer brake gain based on both the trailer weight and the trailer resistance force and may use vehicle data and axle torque.

Abstract: A system and method for limited rate context-based eye gaze encoding includes generating, based on an outward looking camera situated in a vehicle, a first video stream of a surrounding environment to a controller. The controller generates a scene description based on the first video stream and selects a corresponding scene from a predefined list of known scenes. Further, the controller, based on the selected corresponding scene, selects a codebook of encoding and decoding parameters from a plurality of predefined codebooks. Based on an inward looking camera situated in the vehicle, a second video stream of a face of a driver to an eye tracker controller is generated, where the eye tracker controller estimates a gaze direction of the driver. Encoded data comprising the estimated gaze direction of the driver is transmitted over a bandwidth limited channel to a decoder, based on the selected codebook, the encoded data.

Abstract: A method of reducing non-uniform degradation in a battery cell comprising: determining a likely temperature distribution for the battery cell; determining a temperature profile of the battery cell; calculating an electrochemical reaction rate in the battery cell; determining at least one non-uniformity in the electrochemical reaction rate; inducing a non-uniformity in at least one electrode design characteristic to counteract the at least one non-uniformity in the electrochemical reaction rate; and including at least one electrode having the non-uniformity in at least one electrode design characteristic in the battery cell to drive a more uniform electrochemical reaction rate through the battery cell, which could result in decreased fatigue life, particle stress and degradation of the battery cell during, for example, but not limited to high rate operation.

Abstract: A system of providing audio description in a vehicle includes one or more vehicle sensors configured to provide perception data. An audio unit is adapted to transmit an audio signal inside the vehicle. The system includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The controller is adapted to identify elements in a scene in proximity to the vehicle based in part on input data from a plurality of source, including the perception data from the vehicle sensors. The controller is adapted to generate output data based in part on the elements identified in the scene. The output data is merged into one or more cohesive sentences for the audio description. The controller is adapted to determine an output sequence for the audio description based on a predefined list of priorities and transmit the audio description through the audio unit in the output sequence.

Abstract: A semi-solid-state electrolyte system for use in a battery cell is provided. The semi-solid-state electrolyte system includes an oxysulfide solid-state electrolyte and a secondary electrolyte including a solvate ionic liquid. The semi-solid-state electrolyte system is configured for providing excellent ionic conductivity, supporting high current densities at a low stack pressure, and including excellent chemical stability.

Abstract: A method includes performing object detection by a radar sensor system. The object detection includes generating and transmitting object-detection (OD) chirps on an OD channel of a plurality of radar channels employed by the radar sensor system. The method further includes monitoring unused radar channels for interference and determining that at least one of the unused radar channels is free of interference. The method still further includes performing object detection by generating and transmitting one or more OD chirps on the determined interference-free channel.

Abstract: A thermal barrier component for an electrochemical cell (e.g., a battery) includes a mat, a functional material, and a polymer binder. The mat includes a porous matrix. The functional material is in pores of the porous matrix. The functional material includes an oxide. In certain aspects, the functional material may be a composite material. The polymer binder is in contact with the porous matrix and the functional material. At least one of the porous matrix, the functional material, and the polymer binder is configured to serve as an intumescent carbon source. The oxide is configured to catalyze thermal degradation of the intumescent carbon source to form intumescent carbon at a first temperature. The first temperature is greater than or equal to about 300° C. The thermal barrier component is configured to mitigate thermal runaway in an electrochemical cell. The thermal barrier component may include one or more layers.

Abstract: A wheel alignment detection system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate a signal. The controller is in communication with the plurality of sensors and is configured to: detect an external force exerted on the vehicle based on the signal from at least one of the plurality of sensors; determine whether the external force exerted on the vehicle has a magnitude that is between a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value; and command the vehicle to provide an alert in response to determining that the magnitude of the external force exerted on the vehicle is between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value, wherein the alert is indicative that a wheel alignment check should be performed.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a rotor body formed from a plurality of stacked laminations defining a first axial end and an opposing second axial end. Each of the plurality of stacked laminations includes a plurality of openings that are aligned so as to define a plurality of passages through the rotor body. A plurality of reinforcement elements extend through the plurality of stacked laminations. Each of the plurality of reinforcement elements is arranged in a corresponding one of the plurality of passages and includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion and the second end portion of select ones of the plurality of reinforcement elements extend outwardly of the first axial end and the second axial end.

Abstract: A scan matching and radar pose estimator for determining a final radar pose for an autonomous vehicle includes an automated driving controller that is instructed to determine a hyper-local submap based on a predefined number of consecutive aggregated filtered data point cloud scans and associated pose estimates. The automated driving controller determines an initial estimated pose by aligning a latest aggregated filtered data point cloud scan with the most recent hyper-local submap based on an iterative closest point (ICP) alignment algorithm. The automated driving controller determines a pose graph based on the most recent hyper-local submap and neighboring radar point cloud scans, and executes a multi-view non-linear ICP algorithm to adjust initial estimated poses corresponding to the neighboring radar point cloud scans in a moving window fashion to determine a locally adjusted pose.

Abstract: A choke device for an electric machine system is provided. The choke device includes a common-mode choke including a magnetic core configured in cross-section as a geometric shape including a hollow center. The choke device further includes a plurality of electric transmission lines configured for transmitting electrical energy in alternating current, wherein the plurality of electric transmission lines is routed through the hollow center. The geometric shape includes a number of sides based upon a number of the electric transmission lines present and is configured for minimizing or reducing an overall flux length of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A system for managing dehumidification in a battery pack having a plurality of battery modules includes a casing is adapted to house the plurality of battery modules. The casing has at least one cavity with a dehumidification unit being at least partially positioned within the cavity. The dehumidification unit includes a desiccant. A heating element is positioned in proximity to and adapted to selectively heat the desiccant. The system includes a control unit having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The control unit is adapted to control the heating element. The desiccant is adapted to collect moisture during a collection phase of dehumidification and the heating element is adapted to dry the desiccant during a reconditioning phase of the dehumidification.

Abstract: An exposed terminal for a wire conductor, and a process for preparing the exposed terminal includes executing, via a mechanical device, a mechanical ablation process to remove the insulative material from an outer surface of the plurality of square edges along a predefined length of the portion of the wire conductor. The process also includes executing, via a laser tool, a laser ablation process to remove the insulative material from the first pair of opposed faces along the predefined length of the portion of the wire conductor; and executing, via the laser tool, the laser ablation process to remove the insulative material from the second pair of opposed faces along the predefined length of the portion of the wire conductor.